Annals of Empress Dowager Lü

呂太后者，高祖微時妃也，生孝惠帝、女魯元太后。及高祖為漢王，得定陶戚姬，愛幸，生趙隱王如意。孝惠為人仁弱，高祖以為不類我，常欲廢太子，立戚姬子如意，如意類我。戚姬幸，常從上之關東，日夜啼泣，欲立其子代太子。呂后年長，常留守，希見上，益疏。如意立為趙王後，幾代太子者數矣，賴大臣爭之，及留侯策，太子得毋廢。

Empress Dowager Lü was Gaozu's consort from his humble days. She bore Emperor Xiaohui and a daughter, Princess Yuan of Lu. When Gaozu became King of Han, he took Consort Qi of Dingtao into favor. He doted on her, and she bore Ruyi, later King Yin of Zhao. Emperor Xiaohui was benevolent and weak. Gaozu considered him unlike himself. He often wished to abolish the crown prince and establish Concubine Qi's son Ruyi, for Ruyi was like him. Concubine Qi was in high favor and regularly accompanied the emperor east of the passes. She wept day and night, pleading for her son to replace the crown prince. Empress Lü was older and was frequently left behind to guard the capital, so she rarely saw the emperor and grew increasingly estranged. After Ruyi was made King of Zhao, he came close several times to replacing the crown prince. Only the ministers' resistance and Marquis of Liu's strategy kept the crown prince from being deposed.

呂后為人剛毅，佐高祖定天下，所誅大臣多呂后力。呂后兄二人，皆為將。長兄周呂侯死事，封其子呂臺為酈侯，子產為交侯；次兄呂釋之為建成侯。

Empress Lü was hard and resolute. She helped Gaozu pacify the realm, and many of the great ministers who were executed fell through her force of will. Empress Lü had two elder brothers, both of whom were generals. Her eldest brother, Marquis Lü of Zhou, died on campaign. His son Lü Tai was enfeoffed as Marquis of Li, and his son Zichan as Marquis of Jiao; Her second elder brother, Lü Shizhi, was Marquis of Jiancheng.

高祖十二年四月甲辰，崩長樂宮，太子襲號為帝。是時高祖八子：長男肥，孝惠兄也，異母，肥為齊王；餘皆孝惠弟，戚姬子如意為趙王，薄夫人子恒為代王，諸姬子子恢為梁王，子友為淮陽王，子長為淮南王，子建為燕王。高祖弟交為楚王，兄子濞為吳王。非劉氏功臣番君吳芮子臣為長沙王。

In the fourth month of Gaozu's twelfth year, on the jiachen day, he died in Changle Palace, and the crown prince succeeded as emperor. At that time Gaozu had eight sons. The eldest, Fei, was Emperor Xiaohui's elder half-brother and held the kingship of Qi; The remainder were all Emperor Xiaohui's younger brothers. Concubine Qi's son Ruyi was the King of Zhao. Lady Bo's son Heng was the King of Dai. The other consorts' sons were Zihui, King of Liang; Ziyou, King of Huaiyang; Zichang, King of Huainan; and Zijian, King of Yan. Gaozu's younger brother Jiao was the King of Chu. His elder brother's son Pi was the King of Wu. Among non-Liu meritorious ministers, Wu Rui's son Chen, heir to Marquis Fan, held the kingship of Changsha.

呂后最怨戚夫人及其子趙王，乃令永巷囚戚夫人，而召趙王。使者三反，趙相建平侯周昌謂使者曰：「高帝屬臣趙王，趙王年少。竊聞太后怨戚夫人，欲召趙王并誅之，臣不敢遣王。王且亦病，不能奉詔。」呂后大怒，乃使人召趙相。趙相徵至長安，乃使人復召趙王。王來，未到。孝惠帝慈仁，知太后怒，自迎趙王霸上，與入宮，自挾與趙王起居飲食。太后欲殺之，不得閒。孝惠元年十二月，帝晨出射。趙王少，不能蚤起。太后聞其獨居，使人持酖飲之。犁明，孝惠還，趙王已死。於是乃徙淮陽王友為趙王。夏，詔賜酈侯父追謚為令武侯。太后遂斷戚夫人手足，去眼，煇耳，飲瘖藥，使居廁中，命曰「人彘」。居數日，乃召孝惠帝觀人彘。孝惠見，問，乃知其戚夫人，乃大哭，因病，歲餘不能起。使人請太后曰：「此非人所為。臣為太后子，終不能治天下。」孝惠以此日飲為淫樂，不聽政，故有病也。

Empress Lü most bitterly resented Concubine Qi and her son, the King of Zhao. She had Concubine Qi confined in Yongxiang and summoned the king. The envoys came and went three times. Zhou Chang, Zhao's chancellor and Marquis of Jianping, told them, "The High Emperor entrusted the King of Zhao to me. The king is still young. I have heard that the Empress Dowager resents Concubine Qi. She wishes to summon the King of Zhao and execute them both. I dare not send the king. The king is also ill and cannot obey the summons." Empress Lü was greatly angered. She sent people to summon the Zhao chancellor. When the Zhao chancellor was summoned to Chang'an, she sent men to summon the King of Zhao again. The king set out, but had not yet arrived. Emperor Xiaohui was kind and compassionate. Knowing the empress dowager's anger, he personally met the King of Zhao at Ba Crossing and brought him into the palace, keeping him constantly at his side in rising, resting, eating, and drinking. The empress dowager wanted to kill him but could find no opportunity. In the twelfth month of Emperor Xiaohui's first year, the emperor went out hunting at dawn. The King of Zhao was young. He could not rise early. When the empress dowager heard he was staying there alone, she sent poisoned wine to him. At dawn, Emperor Xiaohui returned. The King of Zhao was already dead. King You of Huaiyang was then transferred to Zhao as its king. In summer, an edict granted Lord Li's father the posthumous title Marquis Lingwu. The Empress Dowager then cut off Concubine Qi's hands and feet, gouged out her eyes, cauterized her ears, forced a drug down her throat to silence her, and shut her in the privy. She called her a "human swine." After several days, she summoned Emperor Xiaohui to view the 'human swine.' Emperor Xiaohui saw and asked. He knew it was Concubine Qi. He greatly cried. Because of illness, for over a year he could not rise. He sent someone to petition the Empress Dowager, saying, "This is not conduct fit for a human being. As the Empress Dowager's son, I can no longer rule the realm." From then on, Emperor Xiaohui gave himself over to drink and pleasure, ignored state affairs, and fell ill.

二年，楚元王、齊悼惠王皆來朝。十月，孝惠與齊王燕飲太后前，孝惠以為齊王兄，置上坐，如家人之禮。太后怒，乃令酌兩卮酖，置前，令齊王起為壽。齊王起，孝惠亦起，取卮欲俱為壽。太后乃恐，自起泛孝惠卮。齊王怪之，因不敢飲，詳醉去。問，知其酖，齊王恐，自以為不得脫長安，憂。齊內史士說王曰：「太后獨有孝惠與魯元公主。今王有七十餘城，而公主乃食數城。王誠以一郡上太后，為公主湯沐邑，太后必喜，王必無憂。」於是齊王乃上城陽之郡，尊公主為王太后。呂后喜，許之。乃置酒齊邸，樂飲，罷，歸齊王。三年，方筑長安城，四年就半，五年六年城就。諸侯來會。十月朝賀。

In the second year, King Yuan of Chu and King Daohui of Qi both attended court. In the tenth month, Emperor Xiaohui held a banquet with the King of Qi before the empress dowager. Treating the King of Qi as an elder brother, he seated him in the place of honor, as one would within the family. The Empress Dowager was angered. She ordered two goblets of poison poured and placed before them. She ordered the King of Qi to rise for a longevity toast. The King of Qi rose. Emperor Xiaohui also rose, took up the goblet, and wished to offer a toast with him for long life. Alarmed, the Empress Dowager rose and personally poured Emperor Xiaohui’s cup. The King of Qi wondered at it. Because he dared not drink, he feigned being drunk and left. When he asked and learned it was poisoned, the King of Qi was afraid. He thought he could not leave Chang'an alive and grew anxious. Shi, the Inner Scribe of Qi, urged the king, saying, "The Empress Dowager cares only for Emperor Xiaohui and the Princess of Lu. Now the king holds more than seventy cities, while the princess draws revenue from only a handful. If Your Majesty truly presents one commandery to the Empress Dowager as the princess's fiscal estate, she will surely be pleased, and Your Majesty will surely be free from worry." At that point, the King of Qi offered up Chengyang Commandery and honored the princess as queen dowager. Empress Lü was pleased. She permitted it. She then set out wine at the Qi residence. After a convivial banquet, she sent the King of Qi back. In his third year they were building Chang'an; in the fourth year it was half finished; in the fifth and sixth years the city was completed. The feudal lords came to the assembly. In the tenth month, the court held the congratulatory audience.

七年秋八月戊寅，孝惠帝崩。發喪，太后哭，泣不下。留侯子張辟彊為侍中，年十五，謂丞相曰：「太后獨有孝惠，今崩，哭不悲，君知其解乎？」丞相曰：「何解？」辟彊曰：「帝毋壯子，太后畏君等。君今請拜呂臺、呂產、呂祿為將，將兵居南北軍，及諸呂皆入宮，居中用事，如此則太后心安，君等幸得脫禍矣。」丞相乃如辟彊計。太后說，其哭乃哀。呂氏權由此起。乃大赦天下。九月辛丑，葬。太子即位為帝，謁高廟。元年，號令一出太后。

In the seventh year, in autumn, on the wuyin day of the eighth month, Emperor Xiaohui died. When mourning was announced, the empress dowager wept, but no tears fell. The Marquis of Liu's son Zhang Pijiang served as palace attendant at fifteen. He said to the Chancellor, "The Empress Dowager had only Emperor Xiaohui. Now that he is dead, she weeps without sorrow. Do you know why?" The Chancellor said, "What do you mean?" Pijiang said, "The emperor has no adult sons, and the Empress Dowager fears you lords. You should now ask that Lü Tai, Lü Chan, and Lü Lu be made generals, that they lead troops and hold the northern and southern armies, and that all the Lü kin enter the palace and run affairs from within. Then the Empress Dowager's mind will be at ease, and you lords may yet escape harm." The chancellor then adopted Pijiang’s plan. The Empress Dowager was pleased, and her crying turned into open grief. The Lü clan's authority arose from this. She proclaimed a general amnesty throughout the realm. On xinchou in the ninth month, she was buried. The crown prince ascended the throne and announced it at Gaozu's temple. In the first year, all orders were issued in the empress dowager's name.

太后稱制，議欲立諸呂為王，問右丞相王陵。王陵曰：「高帝刑白馬盟曰『非劉氏而王，天下共擊之』。今王呂氏，非約也。」太后不說。問左丞相陳平、絳侯周勃。勃等對曰：「高帝定天下，王子弟，今太后稱制，王昆弟諸呂，無所不可。」太后喜，罷朝。王陵讓陳平、絳侯曰：「始與高帝啑血盟，諸君不在邪？今高帝崩，太后女主，欲王呂氏，諸君從欲阿意背約，何面目見高帝地下？」陳平、絳侯曰：「於今面折廷爭，臣不如君；夫全社稷，定劉氏之後，君亦不如臣。」王陵無以應之。十一月，太后欲廢王陵，乃拜為帝太傅，奪之相權。王陵遂病免歸。乃以左丞相平為右丞相，以辟陽侯審食其為左丞相。左丞相不治事，令監宮中，如郎中令。食其故得幸太后，常用事，公卿皆因而決事。乃追尊酈侯父為悼武王，欲以王諸呂為漸。

The empress dowager ruled as regent. She proposed making members of the Lü clan kings and asked Right Chancellor Wang Ling for his view. Wang Ling said, "The High Emperor swore over a white horse: 'If anyone outside the Liu clan becomes king, the realm shall strike him down. To make the Lü clan kings now would violate that covenant." Empress Lü was not pleased. She consulted Left Chancellor Chen Ping and Marquis Jiang Zhou Bo. Zhou Bo and the others replied, "When the High Emperor pacified the realm, he enfeoffed his sons and brothers as kings. Now that the Empress Dowager governs as regent, making her Lü kinsmen kings is not unacceptable." Empress Lü was happy. She dismissed court. Wang Ling reproached Chen Ping and the Marquis of Jiang, saying, "When we smeared blood with the High Emperor in oath, were you not there? Now the High Emperor is dead, the Empress Dowager rules as a woman, and she wishes to make the Lü clan kings. You follow her whim and flatter her, betraying the covenant—what face will you show the High Emperor in the grave?" Chen Ping and the Marquis of Jiang said, "In open dispute at court today, we are not your equal; but when it comes to preserving the state altars and securing the Liu succession, you are not my equal." Wang Ling was speechless. In the eleventh month, the Empress Dowager wished to abolish Wang Ling. She appointed him as the emperor's grand tutor and stripped him of his chancellor's power. Wang Ling then claimed illness and resigned. She appointed Left Chancellor Ping the Right Chancellor. She made Marquis Piyang Shen Shiqi the Left Chancellor. The Left Chancellor no longer handled affairs and was ordered to supervise palace matters, like a court attendant. Shen Yiqi had long enjoyed the empress dowager's favor and often managed state business; the dukes and ministers all settled matters through him. Then she posthumously honored Lord Li's father as King Dao Wu. She wished to use this as a gradual approach to making the Lü clansmen kings.

四月，太后欲侯諸呂，乃先封高祖之功臣郎中令無擇為博城侯。魯元公主薨，賜謚為魯元太后。子偃為魯王。魯王父，宣平侯張敖也。封齊悼惠王子章為朱虛侯，以呂祿女妻之。齊丞相壽為平定侯。少府延為梧侯。乃封呂種為沛侯，呂平為扶柳侯，張買為南宮侯。

In the fourth month, when the empress dowager meant to enfeoff Lü marquises, she first enfeoffed Wu Ze, a meritorious courtier of the High Emperor and Gentleman-in-Attendance, as Marquis of Bocheng. Princess Luyuan died and was posthumously honored as Empress Dowager Luyuan. Her son Yan became the King of Lu. The father of the King of Lu was Zhang Ao, Marquis Xuanping. She enfeoffed Zizhang, a son of King Daohui of Qi, as Marquis of Zhuxu and married Lu Lu's daughter to him. Shou, the chancellor of Qi, was made Marquis of Pingding. The lesser treasurer Yan became Lord Wu. Then she enfeoffed Lü Zhong as Lord Pei, Lü Ping as Lord Fu Liu, Zhang Mai as Lord Nangong.

太后欲王呂氏，先立孝惠後宮子彊為淮陽王，子不疑為常山王，子山為襄城侯，子朝為軹侯，子武為壺關侯。太后風大臣，大臣請立酈侯呂臺為呂王，太后許之。建成康侯釋之卒，嗣子有罪，廢，立其弟呂祿為胡陵侯，續康侯後。二年，常山王薨，以其弟襄城侯山為常山王，更名義。十一月，呂王臺薨，謚為肅王，太子嘉代立為王。三年，無事。四年，封呂媭為臨光侯，呂他為俞侯，呂更始為贅其侯，呂忿為呂城侯，及諸侯丞相五人。

Empress Lü wished to make Lü clan kings. She first established Emperor Xiaohui's rear palace son Qiang as the King of Huaiyang, son Buyi as the King of Changshan, son Shan as Lord Xiangcheng, son Zhao as Lord Zhi, son Wu as Lord Huguan. Empress Lü hinted to the ministers. The ministers requested to establish Lord Li Lü Tai as King Lü. Empress Lü permitted it. Marquis Kang of Jiancheng, Lü Shizhi, died. His heir committed crimes and was stripped of rank, so she established his younger brother Lü Lu as Marquis of Huling to continue the line. In the second year, the King of Changshan died. She made his younger brother, the Marquis of Xiangcheng, king of Changshan, changing his name to Yi. In the eleventh month, King Lü Tai died. He was given the posthumous title King Su, and Crown Prince Jia succeeded him as king. In the third year, nothing of note occurred. In the fourth year, she enfeoffed Lü Kui as Marquis of Linguang, Lü Ta as Marquis of Yu, Lü Gengshi as Marquis of Zhuiji, Lü Fen as Marquis of Lücheng, and also enfeoffed five chancellors as marquises.

宣平侯女為孝惠皇后時，無子，詳為有身，取美人子名之，殺其母，立所名子為太子。孝惠崩，太子立為帝。帝壯，或聞其母死，非真皇后子，乃出言曰：「后安能殺吾母而名我？我未壯，壯即為變。」太后聞而患之，恐其為亂，乃幽之永卷中，言帝病甚，左右莫得見。太后曰：「凡有天下治為萬民命者，蓋之如天，容之如地，上有歡心以安百姓，百姓欣然以事其上，歡欣交通而天下治。今皇帝病久不已，乃失惑惛亂，不能繼嗣奉宗廟祭祀，不可屬天下，其代之。」群臣皆頓首言：「皇太后為天下齊民計所以安宗廟社稷甚深，群臣頓首奉詔。」帝廢位，太后幽殺之。五月丙辰，立常山王義為帝，更名曰弘。不稱元年者，以太后制天下事也。以軹侯朝為常山王。置太尉官，絳侯勃為太尉。五年八月，淮陽王薨，以弟壺關侯武為淮陽王。六年十月，太后曰呂王嘉居處驕恣，廢之，以肅王臺弟呂產為呂王。夏，赦天下。封齊悼惠王子興居為東牟侯。

When the daughter of Marquis Xuanping became Emperor Xiaohui's empress, she bore no sons. She feigned pregnancy, took a handsome woman's son and claimed him as her own, killed the mother, and established the child as crown prince. After Emperor Xiaohui died, the crown prince was enthroned. When the emperor grew older, some heard that his mother had died and that he was not truly the empress's son. He then said aloud, "How could the empress have killed my mother and called me her son? When I come of age, there will be a reckoning." Empress Lü heard and was worried by it. She feared he would cause disorder. She imprisoned him in the Yongjuan. She said the emperor's illness was severe. His attendants could not see him. The Empress Dowager said, "Whoever holds the realm and governs for the myriad people covers them as heaven does and bears them as earth does. The ruler above has a joyful heart to settle the people; the people below gladly serve their ruler. Joy flows between them and the realm is governed. Now the emperor has long been ill, confused, and delirious, unable to continue the succession and tend the ancestral temples and sacrifices. He cannot be entrusted with the realm. Let another replace him." The ministers all bowed and said, "The Empress Dowager, for the sake of the realm and the people, has deeply considered how to secure the ancestral temples and altars of state. We bow and accept the decree." The emperor's position was abolished. Empress Lü imprisoned and killed him. In the fifth month, on the bingchen day, King Yi of Changshan was enthroned as emperor under the personal name Hong. It was not called the first year because the empress dowager controlled state affairs. Lord Zhi Zhao became the King of Changshan. The office of Grand Commandant was created, and Zhou Bo, Marquis of Jiang, was appointed to it. In the fifth year, eighth month, the King of Huaiyang passed. His younger brother Lord Huguan Wu became the King of Huaiyang. In the sixth year, tenth month, the empress dowager said King Lü Jia was arrogant and lawless in his residence and conduct, deposed him, and made Lü Chan, younger brother of King Su Lü Tai, King of Lü. In summer, there was a general amnesty throughout the realm. Xingju, another son of King Daohui of Qi, was enfeoffed as Marquis of Dongmou.

七年正月，太后召趙王友。友以諸呂女為受后，弗愛，愛他姬，諸呂女妒，怒去，讒之於太后，誣以罪過，曰：「呂氏安得王！太后百歲後，吾必擊之」。太后怒，以故召趙王。趙王至，置邸不見，令衛圍守之，弗與食。其群臣或竊饋，輒捕論之，趙王餓，乃歌曰：「諸呂用事兮劉氏危，迫脅王侯兮彊授我妃。我妃既妒兮誣我以惡，讒女亂國兮上曾不寤。我無忠臣兮何故棄國？自決中野兮蒼天舉直！于嗟不可悔兮寧蚤自財。為王而餓死兮誰者憐之！呂氏絕理兮託天報仇。」丁丑，趙王幽死，以民禮葬之長安民冢次。

In the seventh year, first month, the empress dowager summoned King You of Zhao. King You had taken a daughter of the Lü clan as queen but did not love her; he favored another concubine. The Lü woman, jealous, left and slandered him to the Empress Dowager, falsely charging him and saying, "How can the Lü clan be made kings! After the Empress Dowager is gone, I will surely strike them down." Empress Lü was angered. Because of this she summoned the King of Zhao. The King of Zhao arrived. He was placed in the residence but not seen. Guards were ordered to surround and defend him. He was not given food. Some of his ministers secretly brought him food, but each time they were seized and punished. Starving, the King of Zhao sang, "The Lu clan rules, and the Liu house is in peril; they threaten kings and marquises, and force one of their women on me as consort. My consort is jealous and falsely accuses me. A slanderous woman throws the state into chaos, yet those above do not awaken. I have no loyal ministers. Why has my state been abandoned? I will end it myself in the open fields; may Heaven raise up the just! Alas, nothing can be undone now; better to take my own life while I still can. A king, dying of hunger: who will pity me? The Lü clan has cast off all reason. I entrust vengeance to Heaven." On dingchou, the King of Zhao died in confinement and was buried with commoners' rites beside the common graves outside Chang'an.

己丑，日食，晝晦。太后惡之，心不樂，乃謂左右曰：「此為我也。」

On jichou, there was a solar eclipse, and daylight went dark. The Empress Dowager hated it and was displeased at heart. She then said to those around her, "This was aimed at me."

二月，徙梁王恢為趙王。呂王產徙為梁王，梁王不之國，為帝太傅。立皇子平昌侯太為呂王。更名梁曰呂，呂曰濟川。太后女弟呂媭有女為營陵侯劉澤妻，澤為大將軍。太后王諸呂，恐即崩後劉將軍為害，乃以劉澤為瑯邪王，以慰其心。

In the second month, King Hui of Liang was moved to be the King of Zhao. King Lü Chan was moved to be the King of Liang. The King of Liang did not go to his country. He became Emperor Grand Tutor. The imperial son Tai, Marquis of Pingchang, was established as King of Lü. Liang was renamed Lu, and the former Lu was renamed Jichuan. Empress Lü's younger sister Lü Kui had a daughter who was the wife of Lord Yingling Liu Ze. Ze was Grand General. Empress Lü made the Lü clansmen kings. She feared that after she passed, General Liu would do harm. She made Liu Ze the King of Langya to comfort his heart.

梁王恢之徙王趙，心懷不樂。太后以呂產女為趙王后。王后從官皆諸呂，擅權，微伺趙王，趙王不得自恣。王有所愛姬，王后使人酖殺之。王乃為歌詩四章，令樂人歌之。王悲，六月即自殺。太后聞之，以為王用婦人棄宗廟禮，廢其嗣。

When King Hui of Liang was moved to be king of Zhao, his heart harbored unhappiness. Empress Lü made Lü Chan's daughter the King of Zhao's queen. The queen's attendants were all Lü clan members. They monopolized authority and secretly watched the King of Zhao. The King of Zhao could not act freely. The king had a favored concubine, and the queen had her poisoned to death. The king then composed four songs and ordered the musicians to perform them. The king was sad. In the sixth month he committed suicide. Empress Lü heard of it. She held that the king had indulged in women and neglected ancestral rites, and she abolished his heir.

宣平侯張敖卒，以子偃為魯王，敖賜謚為魯元王。

Lord Xuanping Zhang Ao passed. His son Yan became the King of Lu. Ao was granted the posthumous title King Lu Yuan.

秋，太后使使告代王，欲徙王趙。代王謝，願守代邊。

In autumn, the Empress Dowager sent an envoy to inform the King of Dai. She wished to move him to be king of Zhao. The King of Dai declined. He wished to guard the Dai border.

太傅產、丞相平等言，武信侯呂祿上侯，位次第一，請立為趙王。太后許之，追尊祿父康侯為趙昭王。九月，燕靈王建薨，有美人子，太后使人殺之，無後，國除。八年十月，立呂肅王子東平侯呂通為燕王，封通弟呂莊為東平侯。

Grand Tutor Chan and Chancellor Ping and others said: Lord Wuxin Lü Lu is an upper marquis. His position sequence is first. Please establish him as the King of Zhao. Empress Lü permitted it. She posthumously honored Lü Lu's father, Marquis Kang, as King Zhao. In the ninth month, King Ling of Yan Jian passed. He had a beautiful woman's son. Empress Lü had people kill him. He had no posterity. The state was eliminated. In the tenth month of the eighth year, Lü Tong, son of King Su of Lü and Marquis of Dongping, was made King of Yan, and his younger brother Lü Zhuang was enfeoffed as Marquis of Dongping.

三月中，呂后祓，還過軹道，見物如蒼犬，據高后掖，忽弗復見。卜之，云趙王如意為祟。高后遂病掖傷。

In the third month the Empress Dowager performed the lustration rite. On her return she passed Zhi Road and saw a creature like a gray dog clinging to her sleeve; suddenly it vanished. Divination said the calamity came from Ruyi, King of Zhao. After that injury to her arm, Empress Lü fell ill.

高后為外孫魯元王偃年少，蚤失父母，孤弱，乃封張敖前姬兩子，侈為新都侯，壽為樂昌侯，以輔魯元王偃。及封中大謁者張釋為建陵侯，呂榮為祝茲侯。諸中宦者令丞皆為關內侯，食邑五百戶。

For her maternal grandson Yan, King Yuan of Lu, who was young and had long been orphaned, Empress Lü enfeoffed two sons of Zhang Ao’s former consort: Chi as Marquis of Xindu and Shou as Marquis of Lechang, to support him. She also enfeoffed the Grand Herald Zhang Shi as Marquis of Jianling and Lu Rong as Marquis of Zhuzi. All eunuch supervisors, commandants, and assistants in the palace were enfeoffed as marquises within the passes, each with five hundred households.

七月中，高后病甚，乃令趙王呂祿為上將軍，軍北軍；呂王產居南軍。呂太后誡產、祿曰：「高帝已定天下，與大臣約，曰『非劉氏王者，天下共擊之』。今呂氏王，大臣弗平。我即崩，帝年少，大臣恐為變。必據兵衛宮，慎毋送喪，毋為人所制。」辛巳，高后崩，遺詔賜諸侯王各千金，將相列侯郎吏皆以秩賜金。大赦天下。以呂王產為相國，以呂祿女為帝后。

In the seventh month the Empress Dowager was gravely ill. She appointed the King of Zhao, Lü Lu, as General-in-Chief over the Northern Army; and the King of Lü, Chan, held the Southern Army. Empress Dowager Lü admonished Chan and Lu, saying, "The High Emperor has already settled the realm. With the great ministers he covenanted, saying, 'If anyone outside the Liu clan becomes king, the realm shall strike him down. Now the Lü are made kings, and the great ministers are displeased. If I should suddenly collapse, the emperor is still young, and the ministers may rebel. You must keep command of the troops and guard the palace. Do not attend the funeral, and do not let anyone else control you." On the xinsi day, Empress Gao died. Her final edict granted each feudal king a thousand jin of gold, and awarded gold to generals, chancellors, marquises, and court officials according to rank. A general amnesty was proclaimed throughout the realm. She appointed Lu Chan, King of Lu, as Chancellor of State, and made Lu Lu's daughter empress.

高后已葬，以左丞相審食其為帝太傅。

After Empress Gao was buried, Left Chancellor Shen Shiqi was made the emperor's grand tutor.

朱虛侯劉章有氣力，東牟侯興居其弟也。皆齊哀王弟，居長安。當是時，諸呂用事擅權，欲為亂，畏高帝故大臣絳、灌等，未敢發。朱虛侯婦，呂祿女，陰知其謀。恐見誅，乃陰令人告其兄齊王，欲令發兵西，誅諸呂而立。朱虛侯欲從中與大臣為應。齊王欲發兵，其相弗聽。八月丙午，齊王欲使人誅相，相召平乃反，舉兵欲圍王，王因殺其相，遂發兵東，詐奪瑯邪王兵，并將之而西。語在齊王語中。

The Lord of Zhuxu, Liu Zhang, had strength and power. The Lord of Dongmu, Xingju, was his younger brother. They were all younger brothers of King Ai of Qi and lived in Chang'an. At this time the Lu clan controlled the government and monopolized power. They wanted to rebel, but they feared the High Emperor's veteran ministers, Zhou Bo of Jiang and Guan Ying, and dared not move. The Marquis of Zhuxu's wife was Lü Lu's daughter; she secretly knew their plot. Fearing execution, she secretly sent word to her elder brother the King of Qi, urging him to raise troops in the west, execute the Lü clan, and enthrone a Liu emperor. The Lord of Zhuxu wished to respond from within with the ministers. The King of Qi wanted to dispatch troops, but his chancellor refused to consent. On bingwu day in the eighth month, the King of Qi planned to execute his chancellor. Chancellor Zhao Ping then revolted, raised troops to surround the king, but the king killed him, seized the troops of the King of Langye under false pretenses, combined forces, and marched west. The details appear in the biography of the King of Qi.

齊王乃遺諸侯王書曰：「高帝平定天下，王諸子弟，悼惠王王齊。悼惠王薨，孝惠帝使留侯良立臣為齊王。孝惠崩，高后用事，春秋高，聽諸呂，擅廢帝更立，又比殺三趙王，滅梁、趙、燕以王諸呂，分齊為四。忠臣進諫，上惑亂弗聽。今高后崩，而帝春秋富，未能治天下，固恃大臣諸侯。而諸呂又擅自尊官，聚兵嚴威，劫列侯忠臣，矯制以令天下，宗廟所以危。寡人率兵入誅不當為王者。」漢聞之，相國呂產等乃遣潁陰侯灌嬰將兵擊之。灌嬰至滎陽，乃謀曰：「諸呂權兵關中，欲危劉氏而自立。今我破齊還報，此益呂氏之資也。」乃留屯滎陽，使使諭齊王及諸侯，與連和，以待呂氏變，共誅之。齊王聞之，乃還兵西界待約。

The King of Qi then sent a letter to the feudal kings, saying, "The High Emperor pacified the realm and enfeoffed his sons and younger brothers. King Daohui of Qi ruled Qi. When King Daohui died, Emperor Xiaohui sent Zhang Liang, Marquis of Liu, to install me as King of Qi. When Emperor Xiaohui died, the Empress Dowager held power. She was advanced in years and heeded the Lü clan. They arbitrarily deposed the emperor and set up another, killed the three kings of Zhao as well, extinguished Liang, Zhao, and Yan to give those kingdoms to the Lü, and divided Qi into four. Loyal ministers came forward with remonstrance, but the ruler above was deluded and would not listen. Now that Empress Gao has died, the emperor is still young and cannot yet govern the realm; he depends entirely on ministers and feudal kings. Moreover, the Lü arrogated high offices to themselves, gathered troops and displayed stern authority, coerced the feudal lords and loyal ministers, and forged edicts to command the realm—the ancestral temples were thereby endangered. I lead troops to enter and execute those who ought not to be kings." When the court heard of it, Chancellor of State Lü Chan and the others sent the Marquis of Yingyin, Guan Ying, to lead troops against him. When Guan Ying reached Xingyang, he deliberated, saying, "The Lü clan hold troops in Guanzhong and wish to endanger the Liu house and set themselves up. If I now destroy Qi and return to report success, I will only be strengthening the Lu clan." He therefore halted at Xingyang and sent envoys to the King of Qi and the feudal lords to join in alliance, wait for a change among the Lü, and execute them together. When the King of Qi heard this, he withdrew his troops to the western frontier and waited for coordination.

呂祿、呂產欲發亂關中，內憚絳侯、朱虛等，外畏齊、楚兵，又恐灌嬰畔之，欲待灌嬰兵與齊合而發，猶豫未決。當是時，濟川王太、淮陽王武、常山王朝名為少帝弟，及魯元王呂后外孫，皆年少未之國，居長安。趙王祿、梁王產各將兵居南北軍，皆呂氏之人。列侯群臣莫自堅其命。

Lü Lu and Lü Chan wished to raise rebellion in Guanzhong. Within they feared the Marquis of Jiang and the Marquis of Zhuxu; without they feared the troops of Qi and Chu; they also feared Guan Ying would turn against them. They wished to wait until Guan Ying's troops joined Qi before acting, but hesitated and could not decide. At this time the kings of Jichuan, Huaiyang, and Changshan—named as the Young Emperor's younger brothers—and the King of Lu, the Empress Dowager's grandson by a daughter, were all young and had not gone to their states; they lived in Chang'an. The King of Zhao, Lu, and the King of Liang, Chan, each commanded troops and held the northern and southern armies—all were of the Lü clan. None of the marquises or ministers felt his life was safe.

太尉絳侯勃不得入軍中主兵。曲周侯酈商老病，其子寄與呂祿善。絳侯乃與丞相陳平謀，使人劫酈商。令其子寄往紿說呂祿曰：「高帝與呂后共定天下，劉氏所立九王，呂氏所立三王，皆大臣之議，事已布告諸侯，諸侯皆以為宜。今太后崩，帝少，而足下佩趙王印，不急之國守藩，乃為上將，將兵留此，為大臣諸侯所疑。足下何不歸印，以兵屬太尉？請梁王歸相國印，與大臣盟而之國，齊兵必罷，大臣得安，足下高枕而王千里，此萬世之利也。」呂祿信然其計，欲歸將印，以兵屬太尉。使人報呂產及諸呂老人，或以為便，或曰不便，計猶豫未有所決。呂祿信酈寄，時與出游獵。過其姑呂媭，媭大怒，曰：「若為將而棄軍，呂氏今無處矣。」乃悉出珠玉寶器散堂下，曰：「毋為他人守也」

Commander-in-chief Marquis Jiang Bo was not able to enter the army and control the troops. Li Shang, Marquis of Quzhou, was old and ill, while his son Ji was on close terms with Lu Lu. The Marquis of Jiang then plotted with Chancellor Chen Ping and had Li Shang coerced. He had his son Ji go to deceive and persuade Lü Lu, saying, "The High Emperor and Empress Dowager Lü together settled the realm. The Liu were enfeoffed as nine kings, the Lü as three—all by deliberation of the great ministers. The matter has been proclaimed to the feudal lords, and they all consider it proper. Now the empress dowager has died and the emperor is young, yet you bear the seal of the King of Zhao. Instead of hurrying back to guard your state, you remain here as Supreme General commanding troops, so ministers and feudal lords naturally suspect you. Why not return your seal and hand the troops over to the Grand Commandant? Ask the King of Liang to return the Chancellor of State's seal, make covenant with the senior ministers, and go to his own domain. Qi's army will surely withdraw, the ministers will be secure, and you can sleep soundly as king over a thousand li. This will benefit your house for all generations." Lu Lu accepted the plan and wanted to return his general's seal and hand his troops over to the Grand Commandant. He sent word to Lu Chan and the elders of the Lu clan. Some approved and others objected, so the matter remained undecided. Lu Lu trusted Li Ji and often went out hunting with him. He passed his aunt Lü Xu. Xu was greatly angered and said, "You are a general yet abandon your army—the Lü clan today have nowhere to stand." She then brought out all the pearls, jade, and precious vessels and scattered them in the hall, saying, "Do not guard them for others."

左丞相食其免。

The Left Chancellor, Shi Yi, was dismissed.

八月庚申旦，平陽侯窋行御史大夫事，見相國產計事。郎中令賈壽使從齊來，因數產曰：「王不蚤之國，今雖欲行，尚可得邪？」具以灌嬰與齊楚合從，欲誅諸呂告產，乃趣產急入宮。平陽侯頗聞其語，乃馳告丞相、太尉。太尉欲入北軍，不得入。襄平侯通尚符節。乃令持節矯內太尉北軍。太尉復令酈寄與典客劉揭先說呂祿曰：「帝使太尉守北軍，欲足下之國，急歸將印辭去，不然，禍且起。」呂祿以為酈兄不欺己，遂解印屬典客，而以兵授太尉。太尉將之入軍門，行令軍中曰：「為呂氏右袒，為劉氏左袒。」軍中皆左袒為劉氏。太尉行至，將軍呂祿亦已解上將印去，太尉遂將北軍。

On the dawn of the gengshen day in the eighth month, the Lord of Pingyang, Zhu, carried out the Imperial Secretary's matters and saw Chancellor Chan to discuss matters. The Director of the Palace Secretariat, Jia Shou, had come from Qi and repeatedly urged Chan, saying, "If you do not go early to your state, even if you wish to go now, can you still do so?" He told Lu Chan everything: Guan Ying had allied with Qi and Chu and intended to execute the Lu clan. He therefore pressed Chan to hurry into the palace. The Marquis of Pingyang overheard this and rode at once to report it to the chancellor and commander-in-chief. The commander-in-chief wished to enter the Northern Army, but was not able to enter. The Lord of Xiangping, Tong, carried the tally and credentials. He commanded that holding the tally, they falsified entry into the Grand Commandant's Northern Army. The Grand Commandant again had Li Ji and the Director of Guests Liu Jie speak first to Lü Lu, saying, "The emperor has ordered the Grand Commandant to hold the Northern Army. He wishes you to go to your state. Hurry and return the general's seal and resign; otherwise disaster will arise." Lu Lu believed Li Ji's elder brother would not deceive him, so he surrendered his seal to the Director of Guests and handed the troops to the Grand Commandant. The Grand Commandant led them into the army gate and issued an order in the army, saying, "Those for the Lü—bare the right shoulder; those for the Liu—the left." All the troops bared their left shoulders for the Liu house. By the time the Grand Commandant arrived, General Lu Lu had already surrendered the General-in-Chief's seal and departed. The Grand Commandant then took command of the Northern Army.

然尚有南軍。平陽侯聞之，以呂產謀告丞相平，丞相平乃召朱虛侯佐太尉。太尉令朱虛侯監軍門。令平陽侯告衛尉：「毋入相國產殿門。」呂產不知呂祿已去北軍，乃入未央宮，欲為亂，殿門弗得入，裴回往來。平陽侯恐弗勝，馳語太尉。太尉尚恐不勝諸呂，未敢訟言誅之，乃遣朱虛侯謂曰：「急入宮衛帝。」朱虛侯請卒，太尉予卒千餘人。入未央宮門，遂見產廷中。日餔時，遂擊產。產走，天風大起，以故其從官亂，莫敢鬬。逐產，殺之郎中府吏廁中。

However, there was still the southern army. When the Marquis of Pingyang heard what was happening, he reported Lu Chan's plot to Chancellor Chen Ping, who summoned the Marquis of Zhuxu to support the Grand Commandant. The commander-in-chief commanded the Marquis of Zhuxu to oversee the army gate. He ordered the Marquis of Pingyang to tell the Commandant of the Guard, "Do not let Chancellor Chan enter the hall doors." Lu Chan did not know that Lu Lu had already left the Northern Army. He entered Weiyang Palace intending to rebel, but could not get through the palace doors and paced back and forth. The Marquis of Pingyang feared they would not win, and galloped to tell the commander-in-chief. The Grand Commandant still feared he might not overcome the Lü clan and did not dare openly say he would execute them. He sent the Marquis of Zhuxu, saying, "Enter the palace quickly and guard the emperor." The Marquis of Zhuxu requested troops. The commander-in-chief gave him over a thousand troops. He entered through the Weiyang Palace gate and saw Lü Chan standing in the middle of the courtyard. At dusk, they attacked Chan. Chan fled, but a violent wind arose, and his followers fell into confusion; none dared fight. They chased Lu Chan down and killed him in the privy of the Chamberlain for Attendants' office.

朱虛侯已殺產，帝命謁者持節勞朱虛侯。朱虛侯欲奪節信，謁者不肯，朱虛侯則從與載，因節信馳走，斬長樂衛尉呂更始。還，馳入北軍，報太尉。太尉起，拜賀朱虛侯曰：「所患獨呂產，今已誅，天下定矣。」遂遣人分部悉捕諸呂男女，無少長皆斬之。辛酉，捕斬呂祿，而笞殺呂媭。使人誅燕王呂通，而廢魯王偃。壬戌，以帝太傅食其復為左丞相。戊辰，徙濟川王王梁，立趙幽王子遂為趙王。遣朱虛侯章以誅諸呂氏事告齊王，令罷兵。灌嬰兵亦罷滎陽而歸。

The Marquis of Zhuxu had already slain Lü Chan. The Marquis of Zhuxu wished to seize the credential, but the usher would not yield. The Marquis of Zhuxu drew his sword and rode with him in the carriage; with the credential he galloped off and beheaded the Commandant of the Changle Guard, Lü Gengshi. He returned and galloped into the northern army to report to the commander-in-chief. The Grand Commandant rose and bowed in congratulation to the Marquis of Zhuxu, saying, "The one we feared was only Lü Chan. Now he is executed—the realm is settled." He then sent men in separate parties to arrest all the Lü clan, male and female; none young or old was spared execution. On xinyou, Lu Lu was captured and beheaded, while Lu Xu was beaten to death. He sent men to put Lu Tong, King of Yan, to death and to depose Yan, King of Lu. On renxu, Yiji, the emperor's Grand Tutor, was restored as Left Chancellor. On the wuchen day, they transferred the King of Jichuan to rule Liang and established Sui, son of King You of Zhao, as King of Zhao. He sent Zhang, Marquis of Zhuxu, to inform the King of Qi that the Lu clan had been executed and to order him to withdraw his army. Guan Ying's forces were also discharged from Xingyang and returned home.

諸大臣相與陰謀曰：「少帝及梁、淮陽、常山王，皆非真孝惠子也。呂后以計詐名他人子，殺其母，養後宮，令孝惠子之，立以為後，及諸王，以彊呂氏。今皆已夷滅諸呂，而置所立，即長用事，吾屬無類矣。不如視諸王最賢者立之。」或言「齊悼惠王高帝長子，今其適子為齊王，推本言之，高帝適長孫，可立也」。大臣皆曰：「呂氏以外家惡而幾危宗廟，亂功臣今齊王母家駟（鈞），駟鈞，惡人也。即立齊王，則復為呂氏。」欲立淮南王，以為少，母家又惡。乃曰：「代王方今高帝見子，最長，仁孝寬厚。太后家薄氏謹良。且立長故順，以仁孝聞於天下，便。」乃相與共陰使人召代王。代王使人辭謝。再反，然後乘六乘傳。後九月晦日己酉，至長安，舍代邸。大臣皆往謁，奉天子璽上代王，共尊立為天子。代王數讓，群臣固請，然後聽。

The great ministers secretly deliberated together, saying, "The Young Emperor and the kings of Liang, Huaiyang, and Changshan are all not truly sons of Emperor Xiaohui. The Empress Dowager by stratagem took others' sons, killed their mothers, reared them in the rear palace, and had Emperor Xiaohui call them his sons. She established them as heirs and as kings to strengthen the Lü clan. Now that we have exterminated the Lu clan, if we enthrone someone they installed, then once he grows up and takes power, none of us will survive. Better to examine the kings and enthrone the worthiest among them." Some said, "King Daohui of Qi was the High Emperor's eldest son. Now his eldest son by the proper wife is King of Qi. Tracing back to the root, the High Emperor's eldest grandson by the proper line may be enthroned." The senior ministers all said, "The Lu clan were wicked maternal relatives; they nearly endangered the ancestral temples and threw the meritorious ministers into chaos. The King of Qi's maternal family is the Si clan, and Si Jun is a bad man. If we enthrone the King of Qi, we will have another Lu clan." They considered enthroning the King of Huainan, but he was young, and his maternal relatives were also bad. They then said, "The King of Dai is now the High Emperor's living son, the eldest, benevolent, filial, and generous. The Empress Dowager's family, the Bo clan, was careful and virtuous. Moreover, enthroning the eldest is proper order, and he is known throughout the realm for benevolence and filial piety. He is suitable." They then jointly sent a secret envoy to summon the King of Dai. The King of Dai sent someone to politely decline. After returning twice, he traveled with six relay teams. On jiyou, the final day of the intercalary ninth month, he reached Chang'an and lodged at the Dai residence. All the ministers assembled, paid homage, presented the imperial seal to the King of Dai, and together enthroned him as emperor. The King of Dai declined repeatedly, but the ministers insisted, and he finally consented.

東牟侯興居曰：「誅呂氏吾無功，請得除宮。」乃與太仆汝陰侯滕公入宮，前謂少帝曰：「足下非劉氏，不當立。」乃顧麾左右執戟者掊兵罷去。有數人不肯去兵，宦者令張澤諭告，亦去兵。滕公乃召乘輿車載少帝出。少帝曰：「欲將我安之乎？」滕公曰「出就舍。」舍少府。乃奉天子法駕，迎代王於邸。報曰：「宮謹除。」代王即夕入未央宮。有謁者十人持戟衛端門，曰：「天子在也，足下何為者而入？」代王乃謂太尉。太尉往諭，謁者十人皆掊兵而去。代王遂入而聽政。夜，有司分部誅滅梁、淮陽、常山王及少帝於邸。代王立為天子。二十三年崩，謚為孝文皇帝。

The Marquis of Dongmou, Xingju, said, "In executing the Lü clan I had no merit. I ask to clear the palace." He and the Grand Master of Chariots, the Marquis of Yingyin, Teng Gong, entered the palace and went forward to tell the Young Emperor, "You are not of the Liu clan. You ought not to be enthroned." He turned and signaled to the guards on left and right to lay down their weapons and disperse. Several men refused to disarm. The eunuch ordered Zhang Ze to persuade them, and they too laid down their arms. Teng Gong summoned the imperial chariot to carry the young emperor out. The Young Emperor said, "Where do you wish to send me?" Teng Gong said, "Go out to the lodging." He took residence at the Lesser Treasury. They then brought out the imperial carriage and welcomed the King of Dai at his residence. They reported, "The palace is respectfully cleared." That evening, the King of Dai entered Weiyang Palace. Ten palace ushers with halberds guarded the main gate, saying, "The Son of Heaven is within. What business brings you inside, my lord?" The King of Dai then spoke with the commander-in-chief. The commander-in-chief went to explain, and all ten palace attendants laid down their weapons and departed. The King of Dai entered the palace and began to govern. That night, officials in detachments executed the kings of Liang, Huaiyang, and Changshan, along with the young emperor, at their residences. The King of Dai was enthroned as emperor. He died in the twenty-third year and received the posthumous title of Emperor Xiaowen.

太史公曰：孝惠皇帝、高后之時，黎民得離戰國之苦，君臣俱欲休息乎無為，故惠帝垂拱，高后女主稱制，政不出房戶，天下晏然。刑罰罕用，罪人是希。民務稼穡，衣食滋殖。

The Grand Historian says: In the reign of Emperor Xiaohui and Empress Dowager Gao, the people were finally free of the suffering of the Warring States. Ruler and ministers alike longed to rest in quietude and non-action. Emperor Hui therefore ruled with folded hands, while Empress Dowager Gao, as a woman, held the regency. Policy never left the inner chambers, and the realm was at peace. Punishments were seldom applied, and criminals were scarce. The people devoted themselves to agriculture, and their clothing and food multiplied.

Cite this Chapter